No compromise on public services

When it comes to a nation’s overall well-being, the efficiency of its public sector remains of the utmost importance.

To that end, the government has done more than enough to incentivize the services provided by public officials -- from increased salaries to improved benefits.

Yet, unfortunately, there seems to be wanton disregard of their own duties -- which is nothing short of a slap in the face to all the hard-working, tax-paying citizens of this country.

A recent study conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) found that 40% of all doctors were absent from their workstations, while an ACC official’s recent visit to various Chittagong schools found that most of the teachers were absent, with students left unattended to.

This speaks to an overall culture of negligence that permeates throughout our public sector, a sad reality which gravely threatens all the economic and social progress we have made as a nation.

As such, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent hard stance on negligent practices is a welcome one: No public official should be allowed to get away with such behaviour, and any offenders should be held accountable for their actions and the services they provide to the people of this country.

Is it any surprise, then, that so many Bangladeshis, even those who can barely afford it, opt to go abroad for medical treatment and education instead?

As the prime minister has said, our public officials must nurture a more service-oriented attitude -- it is the only way we can ensure that the needs of the people always come first.